New South Wales has recorded six other coronavirus cases linked to the Sydney North Coast cluster.
New South Wales has recorded nine additional cases of coronavirus, six of which have been linked to the Avalon (North Coast) cluster and all related to the same household.
One additional case was obtained locally in Bondi without a link to the Avalon cluster, confusing health authorities. It is believed that the case could be a false positive or an old case and is still under investigation.
In regards to these new cases, NSW Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian said he would not relax restrictions as the state strives to restore normalcy as soon as possible.
“There are still concerns about the CBD and there are still concerns about people on the North Coast who might accidentally spread the virus without knowing they have it,” he told media.
Residents of Northern Beaches will remain under strict housing conditions.
Berejiklian said these restrictions would apply for “the next three days, or more”.
NSW Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian said the state had not yet relaxed restrictions. Photo / Getty Images
North Coast lawmakers Jason Falinski and Zali Steggall have voiced support for the state government’s strategy and their decision not to legally wear masks.
Speaking on ABC 24, Falinski said the state treats people like adults.
“What seems to be working in New South Wales compared to other jurisdictions around the world, is if you treat your people like adults and not convicts you get much better support for the actions you take,” he said.
“If this doesn’t work, I believe the New South Wales government can move from regulatory advice to mandatory.”
Also appearing on the program, Steggall agrees.
“I feel we find the right balance between allowing people to do the right thing without being a complete police state. I think we do need to entrust people to do the right thing,” he said.
In comparison, Victorians were still required to wear masks. The state mandated directive states that people must carry masks with them at all times when they go out of the house, unless they have a reason not to do so.
The NYE celebration hangs on balance
Sydney residents will have to wait the coming days for official restrictions surrounding New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Although Berejiklian thanked the public and said NSW made a “good break”, New Year’s Eve and the first few weeks of January are still unclear.
“There are some basic things I can communicate very strongly today. That means everyone should assume that they are watching fireworks from home this year,” he said.
Hospitality establishments will likely also comply with the “four square meter rule” as opposed to the “two square meter rule”.
“We don’t want to spend a day or an hour trying to force anything we don’t need to do, and that’s why we do things as they are,” he said.
‘They’re rampaging in our waterways’: Tourism Minister Stuart Nash is aiming at freedom campers instead of encouraging focus on attracting high-spending visitors. Video / Guy Williams / ODT
New Zealand Head of Tourism Stephen England-Hall said his country must be careful not to incorporate all liberty tents.
He has a new job as head of the Queenstown group’s Wayfare tourism business in February and said among the 12,000 who camped, there was a different group.
“We have to be very careful not to put this all together and call it a problem. What matters is when people behave badly.”
This can include defecating in the wilderness, parking or staying in the wrong place.
“That’s not to say that all visitors who choose this type of trip are all bad.”
Some could be a wealthy family who spent two weeks staying in a luxury inn and then had the freedom of two nights camping somewhere to experience nature.
He said the freedom to camp in non-independent vehicles would be banned as part of efforts to market New Zealand to very wealthy overseas tourists.
England-Hall said while free camping – including 80,000 Kiwis – could be a problem, backpackers would be a valuable part of the tourism economy when they could return.
“Backpackers are not the same as casual camping who provide labor in the primary and hospitality industries and they spend everything they earn – they tend to travel quite extensively. They tend to be more mobile over the next few years and last a long time.
“They are often labeled the same term as camping freedom – they are very different,” says England-Hall.
Backpackers are also big supporters of the country when they return home.
England-Hall warned that New Zealand would face an uphill battle to attract overseas visitors when travel restrictions and border closings are relaxed.
New Zealand has had to fight hard to be relevant and it’s not a definite conclusion that tourists will return.
“The halo effect around New Zealand’s good record so far around Covid could dissipate quickly. Nobody will care how well you manage the virus as the world continues to develop – there is some work to be done to ensure that New Zealand remains a major concern., ” she says.
“Nobody would thank Tourism NZ if we weren’t ready – we had to be ready to drive demand and partner with industry and airlines to get people on planes.”
Tourism NZ had a budget of about $ 111 million a year to promote New Zealand overseas before Covid-19 but has shifted to domestic campaigns. But abroad it is not yet “dark”.
“You are just as good as your last campaign and at the moment we have a real halo of brands around New Zealand.”
Chief executive of Tourism New Zealand Stephen England-Hall. Photo / Nick Reed
The first stage of visitors is very likely to visit friends and relatives who didn’t come on holidays, England-Hall said.
The second wave will be the business or investor groups.
“The challenge is that historically they didn’t spend a lot of money per day as visitors to our holidays.”
Although these visitors will help the health and well-being of the population, the economic impact is not too big.
“As that starts to shift to more recreational travel, we want to make sure that the mix on the plane leans more towards high value, culture and environment awareness.
To that end, New Zealand must have sales channel marketing activities that build relationships on the ground in other countries.
The latest results show domestic tourism in October rose 24 percent in October. Kiwis on the go cost $ 1.8 billion, up $ 351 million from a year ago.
England-Hall said while domestic spending was encouraging, there was still a $ 12 billion hole in tourism revenue due to the absence of international visitors.
“The fact that October is defending so well is a good signal but as we head into a summer where our international visitors will be dominant, it won’t be a problem this year.”
He said people want to have experiences and build memories with family and friends.
February and March can be gentler as it is the height of the international tourist season.
“What’s exciting is the Kiwis are really exploring New Zealand. In the past it might have taken it for granted, but it’s a very important part of the tourism economy and the reason so many people choose New Zealand for their once-in-a-lifetime trips. We don’t really appreciate it. “
Stonehenge Aotearoa is a full-scale adaptation of Stonehenge – and a stargazer’s paradise. Photo / Stonehenge Aotearoa.
While previously redundant tourist destinations are becoming more attractive and accessible to the average Kiwi with international borders closed, that doesn’t mean we won’t be competing for space in the busy summer months. Everyone has the same agenda, which means it’s also time to consider alternatives. Of course, there are some experiences – like traversing the volcanic landscape of Tongariro Crossing, or having a cool drink at Hobbiton’s Green Dragon Inn – that just can’t be duplicated.
But others can. If you do a little research, you’ll find that many of New Zealand’s popular attractions have lesser-known partners and are often cheaper. Here are six close siblings of some must-do activities in the country.
Explore shallow hot pools on the fine black volcanic sand at Kawhia hot springs. Photo / Sally Jackson.
Dig your private spa in the sand
An hour south of Raglan, Kawhia is a quiet seaside village with a harbor full of peas, oysters and mussels. It’s also where you’ll find one of the lesser known hot spring beaches. (Yes, there is more than one.)
The drill is exactly the same as in the Coromandel. At low tide, drive to the end of Ocean Beach Rd, where you’ll find a black, soulless beach above. You have to bring your own shovel. Watch for signs of steam rising from the sand and start digging. Once you reach the hot springs of Te Puia Springs, soak in the knowledge that somewhere across the island, lots of people are screaming for the same thing.
Try one of the world’s best burgers
Oh, Fergburger. Even if you’ve never seen the queues for this Queenstown institution, you’ve probably read blog posts or articles all about the burgers: how juicy the meat is, how tender the bread is and how amazing it is. it’s open for almost 21 hours a day.
What they don’t get romantic about, however, is how long you have to wait in line. If you are too hungry to wait in line, all you need to do is head over to the Devil Burger. Offering a similar product, at the same price, that is what the locals are for.
Seeing kiwis anywhere is special, but conditions on Kapiti Island increase your chances. Photo / Provided.
Find kiwi in the wild
Thanks to its remote location and difficult sea crossings to get there, Rakiura (Stewart Island) remains relatively flawless compared to other popular tourist destinations. However, it is still struggling under the load of attractive visitors; pre-pandemic, about 44,000 people were visited per year. That’s about 111 tourists for each resident.
The island’s main attraction is the rare opportunity to see kiwis in the wild. It’s home to around 13,000 of New Zealand’s 68,000 kiwi, and the subspecies that live here can sometimes even be seen during the day for insects by the beach.
The catch? If seeing kiwi is your only goal, travel long distances without the guarantee you’ll see it.
Alternatively, there are a number of fenced predator-free shelters on the North Island and South Island that offer nighttime kiwi tours, including Wellington’s Zealandia and Waikato’s Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. But the two hour tour presents a very limited window of time for viewing elusive birds, which is why it is so worthwhile to spend a night on Kāpiti Island.
This predator-free island is home to around 1,400 tiny looking kiwis, presenting one of the most reliable opportunities to spot them. Starting at $ 395 per adult ($ 230 per child), Kāpiti Island Nature Tours kiwi-sightseeing packages include transportation, accommodation in a glamping tent or cabin, and guided night tours.
Mount Aspiring National Park offers some of the most impressive walks in the country. Photo / Provided
Hike one of New Zealand’s iconic walks
When Lonely Planet released its Ultimate Travel List earlier this month, 13 Kiwi destinations qualified, with Fiordland National Park topping the 29th position.Most visitors opt to take a boat tour through Milford Sound, but that area came first. undeniably the Milford Track. One of New Zealand’s 10 Great Walks, dubbed “the world’s best walk,” takes hikers through valleys carved by glaciers, past ancient rainforests and cascading waterfalls.
However, its reputation means it’s expensive (the hut costs $ 70 per person per night alone) and very difficult to book. Earlier this year, spots on track for the 2020-2021 season were almost sold out within 10 minutes of opening the booking system.
However, even though there are only 10 “Great Streets” in New Zealand, there are dozens of “great roads.”
The closest connection to the Milford Track is the Gillespie Pass Circuit, a 58 km loop best suited for experienced hikers with river crossing skills. Located near Mount Aspiring National Park, it also takes four days, reaches an altitude of 1,600 meters, and has serviced lodges along the way. And on publication, reservations are still available for the hut (only $ 20) during the holiday period.
On a Lake District Adventures nighttime kayaking tour, you’ll paddle along the shores of Lake Karapiro to see glowworms. Photo / Provided.
Experience the magic of collecting glowworms
Waitomo is not the only place where large numbers of glowworms gather. For a cheap and fun version of the same, you can head to the DOC-run Waipū Caves in Northland, which are completely free to access.
If you don’t want to stray far from Waitomo and be in it for glowworms (not caves) sign up for the Lake District Adventures night kayaking tour ($ 109). On a four hour sunset excursion, you will paddle along the shores of Lake Karapiro. As dark falls, you’ll drift silently on the Pokaiwhenua Stream, your path only lighted by glow worms. The effect is very subtle, and with fewer people, your oar hitting the water is the only sound you’ll hear.
Stargazing in the Dark Sky Nature Reserve
Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve is an area known for its low levels of light pollution and many nights with bright stars. Currently, it may be the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere – but it won’t last long. Wairarapa is currently preparing to become the world’s largest Dark Sky Reserve, a designation which is expected to come later this year.
This is where you can experience some of the most unique and personalized astronomy tours in the country. For example, Becky Bateman of the local Under the Stars will bring her telescope straight to your accommodation. Then there’s Stonehenge Aotearoa, a full-scale adaptation of Stonehenge. If you show up on Friday or Saturday at 8:30 p.m., you’ll have the opportunity to look through the telescope and learn how the structure works. General admission is $ 15.
For more New Zealand travel ideas and inspiration, visit newzealand.com
The prime minister said the national education policy would raise education standards
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday that ending class-based segregation in the education sector was the government’s top priority.
Chairing a meeting on the uniform national curriculum in Islamabad, he said the uniform education system is not only a modern day necessity, but also a basic right of every child. He said that the new generation should be fully aware of the life and sunnah of Khatim-un-Nabiyyin Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) because he is a true role model and His Sunnah is a beacon for us.
According to the Prime Minister, the national education policy will increase the level of education and provide equal opportunities to empower all levels of society. He said the success of this system was based on the selection of teaching staff and increasing their capacity. He said the new policy would enable people to get quality education. He said the uniform education system would set a precedent for regional countries to follow.
Federal Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood explained at the meeting that the introduction of a uniform syllabus at the national level aims to highlight students’ analytical and creative abilities. He said apart from providing curricular education and highlighting Pakistani nationalism, this system would instill golden principles of honesty, honesty, tolerance, respect, mutual harmony, awareness of climate change, democracy, human rights, sustainable development and personal protection among students. . He said a special focus had been made on building student character in the uniform education system.
The meeting was informed that this syllabus has been formulated, keeping in mind the goals of sustainable development, and it will be implemented in all private and government schools and Islamic seminaries, across Pakistan.
It is said that Islamic Studies will be taught as a separate subject from Grade 1 to Grade 12 to promote Islamic teachings. Separate subjects in the name of Religious Education will be introduced for students from minority communities, which will be offered from Grade 1.
During the meeting it was found that the main purpose of the uniform syllabus was to provide education to students according to the needs of modern times and the consultation process with all stakeholders had been completed in this regard.
Imran Khan was also briefed on the Federal Directorate of Education and the improvement of educational institutions in Islamabad.
The IHS Markit Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) came in at 53.2, compared with 53.1 in August and 51.9 in July, remaining above the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction.
The figure was slightly weaker than the median estimate of 53.5 in a Reuters survey of 17 analysts.
The index slumped to a record low of 31.1 in April, reflecting the closure of most factories in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, which hit the country in late February.
Plants were allowed to reopen in May, and the index reading has now risen for the fifth straight month and is above 50 for the last three.
The IHS Markit sub-index for output in producers fell to 54.8 in September from 56.2 in August, which was the highest reading since February 2018.
The Italian government expects a full-year economic contraction of 9% this year due to the coronavirus.
Most independent bodies, including the European Commission and the International Monetary Fund, expect a sharper fall in gross domestic product for Italy of more than 10%.
(Reporting by Gavin Jones; Editing by Hugh Lawson)